2 MILF members, 2 others arrested in drug buy-bust in Manila

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives have arrested four suspected drug personalities, two of whom were self-confessed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, in a Manila buy-bust operation that yielded P2.5 million worth of shabu.

In a press conference on Wednesday, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino identified the self-confessed MILF members as Omex Omar Tuwan and Bong Masual Mondato, and two other suspects as Aladin Kulapo Ali and Kaharudin Kulapo Ali.

Aquino said the suspects were arrested after agents from the PDEA Special Enforcement Service (SES) and PDEA Regional Office VI conducted a buy-bust operation on March 6 in Ermita, Manila.

During the raid, PDEA agents seized ten large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu with an estimated value of P2.5 million.

Also confiscated were two mobile phones, several financial documents and the marked money.

“Our assessment is that shabu came from Mindanao, either in Cotabato, Maguindanao, or somewhere in Lanao, and dinadala nila dito sa Manila. Nagkakaroon na kasi ng kakulangan ng shabu dito sa Metro Manila,” Aquino told reporters.

“That’s the reason why the supply of drugs is now coming from Mindanao, and itong dalawang MILF na ito are the ones delivering these illegal drugs to Manila. From there, Kaharudin Kulapo Ali is the one who receives these illegal drugs for distribution,” the PDEA chief said.

Moreover, Aquino disclosed that a politician from Mindanao, whom he did not name, was supporting the transportation of drugs carried out by the self-confessed MILF members.

“These alleged MILF members are working for a politician in Mindanao, at ang politician na iyon ay ang nagsu-support dito. I’m sorry I cannot divulge the name of the politician,” Aquino said. /je